MBABANE –Revealed!
A coach involved in the Eswatini Football Association’s (EFA) FIFA-backed Talent Development Scheme (TDS) Programme claims his contract was abruptly terminated after he raised concerns about unpaid salaries and a lack of essential working equipment.
Sources close to the matter alleged that the EFA engaged local and one foreign coach to impart football knowledge to the nation’s budding talents. The issues reportedly surfaced when one coach questioned why their monthly salaries were not being paid as per their contractual agreement.
“The coach also asked the football authorities why they weren’t given equipment to use when doing drills with the youngsters,” a source stated, adding that the coaches were only provided with nine footballs and were forced to use their own kits and boots.
The affected coach corroborated this, alleging that the EFA failed to cooperate regarding equipment supply. “We were not paid for a period of nine months,” the coach claimed, further alleging that the EFA has threatened to withhold his owed salaries should he not return the provided equipment.
This account was also confirmed by another TDS coach, who alleged his contract had similarly been terminated by the local football governing body. He revealed that the association initially provided them with just a T-shirt, shorts and a pair of football boots upon engagement.
“I renewed my contract last September, and it was set to expire on August 31, 2025. I was surprised to hear that my contract has been terminated,” he stated. He added that his last payment, an amount of E1 500, was deposited into his account in February, after months without pay.
“The contract we have with EFA states that we are supposed to be paid on the last day of each month, but after going for four months without pay, the EFA deposited E6 000. This was the last payment before the E1 500 we received in February,” he explained.
The coach also alleged that the EFA consistently added new, financially draining work, such as requiring them to submit 12 videos and eight pictures from each session with the youngsters. “I was recently told that the reason I am not being paid is due to the fact that the videos I sent were insufficient, yet I am using my own data,” the coach alleged.
This publication has obtained a letter, dated July 1, 2025 and signed by EFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu, which notified one of the coaches that their contract with the TDS Programme would not be renewed upon its expiry.
“In view of the above, you are, therefore, with immediate effect, relieved of your duties,” part of the letter read. It went on to state that the EFA would, however, pay the coach their normal wage or allowance until the end of the contract period. The letter also urged the coach to submit any training equipment under their care to the regional football association’s Chief Operations Officer (COO).
When contacted, the relevant Regional Football Association COO disclosed that nothing about this matter had been communicated to his office. Meanwhile, EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radebe briefly said the CEO is not aware of such an issue about the TDS coaches’ contracts being terminated.
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